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Nebraska has never had a State Poet like Jewel Rodgers. She is the youngest person to hold the position at 27 and the first African American. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson caught up with the Omaha native, and asked her to begin by reciting one of her poems.
Jewel Rodgers: I have been sprinting. The proverbial shirt on my back is drenched. The very real lungs in my body are waiting to exhale. I want this. I know it. I do not feel guilty anymore. I just practice waiting on nothing long enough to see myself leave. There is more to life than whatever is keeping me empty, and I will not trick myself out of control. I am hell bent on breaking this generational curse of survival. There will be no more apologies. This is all that I carry, this weight, this God send, this apple seed, this holy multiplier. God calls me many things, tell me to believe, tells me not to get too wrapped up. I am surrounded by horizons that can't let go of me, shining, and why should I stop now? Who is making the rules in this country? Who has broken the rules in this country and survived?
Johnson: I ask that you pick one of your favorite poems to start this conversation, and you selected “Alignment.” Why?
Rodgers: I selected that as a reading because it speaks a lot to the dedication that I've put into myself for quite some time and the belief that I've held in myself. It speaks briefly on perseverance. It speaks briefly on self-belief. It speaks briefly on challenging a status quo. And I think a lot of those things are what is required to be my most authentic self and be unashamed or unafraid about that.
Johnson: Let's confirm what many in Nebraska assume, you are the daughter of Husker Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, who you acknowledge, passed along his winning ways to you and your mother, who saw the value in your voice. Talk a bit about your parents.
Rodgers: That is true. I would say even the poem that I just read, it could also be very much influenced by my father. I always say that that is one of the things he gave me, was an incredible work ethic and the arts, I do have to say, do come from mother's side.
Johnson: Was there a moment growing up, Jewel, where you knew, where it clicked that you had this gift, or did your love of performance art grow and foster slowly?
Rodgers: It was sixth grade. In sixth grade, my teacher assigned us to write a poem, but at that very same time, I was also going to Wesley house, which was an after school program. Taught You business acumen and at etiquette. It also taught you how to shake a hand and do public speaking, and so when it was time for me to recite the poem in front of the class, I had a certain cadence already that had been established, and a friend of mine turns to me and she says, How did you read it like that? And I didn't really know how I read it like that, but it sort of just came out and has been present in my life ever since.
Johnson: In addition to the support of your parents, Jewel, who taught you how to do so very well what you do?
Rodgers: I definitely always credit Paul Bryant, who was the executive director of Wesley house when it was in existence. That is where I got the skill of public speaking from. I always credit Tawny Green and I credit Maya Angelou. I credit Maya Angelou because that was the first book of poetry I ever read.
Johnson: For many people, your poem “Humble” is their first introduction to your work, inspired by Carmen Tapio and Oprah Winfrey, we know who Oprah is, but who is Carmen Tapio?
Rodgers: Carmen Tapio is an incredible businesswoman who is leading North End Teleservices. They're a telecommunications company based out of North Omaha and one of the fastest growing businesses in the state of Nebraska.
Johnson: The state poet is charged with traveling the state for a five-year period, promoting poetry reading, youth engagement. How do you envision that responsibility? What will be the fingerprint of Jewel Rodgers as state poet?
Rodgers: With each state poet, one proposes a project, and part of my project is hosting five showcases within Nebraska's three congressional districts, whether that is independently held, such as the nominees and friends showcase that I held at Fig and the Kiewit Luminarium, or if that is a collaboration with an existing festival, more in the central or western areas of Nebraska. That is one of the three components of my project as state poet.
Johnson: That's Nebraska's state poet, Jewel Rodgers. I'm Dale Johnson on Nebraska Public Media.